chapter 57
Ishni’s POV
My mind was spinning. My chest felt tight as if the air around me had suddenly become heavier. Without wasting another second, I rushed out of the abandoned warehouse, my heels echoing loudly against the cracked concrete floor.
The cold evening wind hit my face as I stepped outside.
“Mrs. Rajput! What happened?” Vijay asked, noticing the urgency on my face.
I didn’t stop walking.
“Nothing,” I said quickly, trying to keep my voice steady. “I have some work to do.”
Before he could ask anything else, I opened the door of my car and slid inside.
“Drive,” I ordered the driver immediately.
The car started moving, leaving the warehouse behind, but my mind was still trapped inside that room.
My hands slowly clenched into fists on my lap.
He’s alive.
The thought alone made my heart pound violently.
“How…?” I whispered to myself. “I saw him die… I killed him myself…”
The memories flashed in my mind like sharp blades.
I closed my eyes tightly, trying to push those images away.
“No,” I murmured under my breath.
Then another thought struck me like lightning.
Rudra.
My heart sank.
If that man was really back… then Rudra was in danger.
And the worst part?
He had threatened to destroy everything.
The car stopped in front of the old records office, a place most people had forgotten existed. The building looked lifeless, its pale walls carrying the weight of thousands of dark histories locked inside.
I stepped out quickly and walked in without wasting a second.
Inside, the room smelled of dust and old paper. Tall shelves were filled with filescriminal records, forgotten cases, buried truths.
My heels echoed in the silent hall as I rushed toward the records section.
My hands began searching frantically, pulling files out, spreading papers across the table.
“Where is it…” I muttered impatiently, flipping through stacks of documents.
Papers scattered everywhere as my heartbeat grew louder in my ears.
Then suddenly—
My hand froze.
There it was.
Criminal Record: Ishni Oberoi
For a moment, I just stared at the file, my own name staring back at me like a ghost from my past.
Slowly, I picked it up and opened it.
The first page had my photograph.
My full name.
My identity.
My fingers trembled slightly as I turned the page.
Every detail was written there. Every accusation. Every evidence collected.
Then my eyes landed on the line that made my chest tighten.
Crime: Murder of husband.
Method: Body dismembered into 107 pieces.
My breathing became uneven as I read further.
Organs were barely recovered. Most body parts were destroyed beyond recognition.
For a moment the room felt like it was spinning.
“I killed you…” I whispered under my breath, my eyes glued to the words on the paper.
My fingers pressed harder against the file.
“I saw you die.”
Then how…
How was he standing in front of me today?
A cold realization slowly crept into my mind. If he was really alive…
Then the nightmare I buriedyears ago had just come back to life.
My fingers tightened around the old file. The papers trembled slightly in my hands, but my eyes remained fixed on the words written in black ink words that had buried my past and locked it away from the world.
For a moment I stood there in silence, my mind racing through every possibility.
Then slowly, I shut the file.
The sharp sound of the folder closing echoed through the empty records room.
A cold smile formed on my lips.
“I knew it,” I muttered under my breath. “This is a plan… a carefully made plan.”
I placed the file back on the table and looked around the dusty room, my eyes sharp and calculating now.
“A plan to track me… a trap.”
My voice grew colder with every word.
“Whoever you are behind that mask,” I said quietly, my fingers curling into a fist, “I will definitely reveal you.”
The anger burning inside me slowly replaced the shock.
Because no matter how perfect the illusion looked , I knew what I had done that night.I had seen him die.
I had ended him with my own hands.
There was no way that man could still be alive.
Without another glance at the files, I turned around and walked out of the records office, my heels striking the floor with determination.
If this was a trap…
Then I was going to be the one who destroyed it.
Author’s POV
Vipul pushed the door open and walked quickly into Rudra’s office, his face serious.
“Boss, I just got a call from Italy,” he said. “Our contact checked all the powerful faces there. None of them are showing any suspicious movement. Everyone is busy with their own work… even the Romanos.”
Rudra slowly looked up from the documents on his desk, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
“You’re sure about that?” he asked in a calm but firm voice. “Then how did you say you saw Italian men yesterday?”
Vipul stepped closer to the desk, shaking his head.
“Boss, I’m absolutely sure. I clearly saw the tattoo on their hands. It was the same mark… the one used by the Italian groups.”
Rudra leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening as he processed the information.
If the Romanos were really in Italy… then who were those men?
Something wasn’t adding up.
“Then find them,” Rudra said coldly, his voice turning dangerous. “I want to know who they are.”
Vipul nodded immediately.
“Yes, boss.”
Rudra’s fingers slowly tapped on the desk, his expression darkening.
“Because if they’re here in my territory,” he continued, “they will answer for it.”
And this time…
No one would be allowed to escape.
---------
It was almost evening. The sky was painted in soft shades of orange and goldnot too dark, not too bright. The college campus had started getting quieter as most students were leaving.
Vipul parked his car outside the gate and stepped out, adjusting his watch while looking around.
He had come to pick Tara, but she was nowhere to be seen.
He checked near the benches… the canteen… even the parking area.
“Where did this girl disappear now…” he muttered to himself while walking further inside the campus.
Just then, he noticed a shadow moving behind a wall.
His lips curved slightly.
Of course.
“Ta—”
Before he could even complete her name, a sudden punch landed straight on his face.
“OUCH!” Vipul shouted, stumbling a little backward and holding his cheek.
A second later Tara jumped out from behind the wall, her eyes widening in horror when she saw him.
“Arey Vipul tum?!” she gasped.
She quickly ran to him and grabbed his arm.
“I’m so sorry! I thought you were someone else!”
Vipul was still holding his cheek, staring at her in disbelief.
“Tara!” he groaned. “Who attacks people like that?!”
She looked extremely guilty now, gently touching the side of his face.
“I swear I didn’t know it was you… I was just practicing self-defense.”
Vipul blinked at her.
“Practicing self-defense?” he repeated slowly.
Then he sighed dramatically.
“Fantastic. I came here to pick my girlfriend and instead got assaulted.”
Tara bit her lip trying not to laugh, though guilt was still on her face.
Tara was still holding his arm, her expression now turning serious.
“Don’t you know?” she said. “Nowadays there are rumours spreading that girls are disappearing. No one knows where they’re going.”
Vipul frowned slightly, the playful look on his face fading.
“What?” he asked, looking at her carefully.
Tara nodded, lowering her voice a little as if the walls themselves could hear.
“Yes. Some girls from nearby colleges… they just vanished. No message, no call, nothing. People say they were last seen around lonely areas.”
Vipul’s jaw tightened as he processed her words.
“And you thought the best solution was to punch the first person who came near you?” he asked.
Tara crossed her arms stubbornly.
“Better safe than sorry.”
Vipul sighed, rubbing his cheek again.
“Well congratulations, Miss Safety,” he muttered. “You almost broke my jaw.”
Tara looked at him for a second… then slowly smiled.
“At least now you know your girlfriend can protect herself.”
Vipul looked at her, then shook his head helplessly.
“Protect herself?” he said. “At this rate, I’m the one who needs protection from you.”
Despite the joke, his eyes unconsciously scanned the surroundings again.
Something about those rumours didn’t sit right with him.
And suddenly the evening air didn’t feel as peaceful as it had a few minutes ago.
Vipul suddenly remembered the Italian men he had seen the previous night. The thought flashed in his mind like a warning.
Could it be…?
For a moment his expression turned serious.
“Arey, where are you lost?” Tara asked, waving her hand slightly in front of his face.
Vipul blinked and quickly snapped out of his thoughts.
“Huh? Nothing,” he said casually, forcing a small smile. “Let’s go.”
He didn’t want to worry her with something he himself wasn’t sure about.
Tara nodded and naturally slipped her hand into his.
Vipul looked down at their intertwined fingers for a second before tightening his grip slightly.
Both of them started walking towards the parking area together.
The evening breeze was soft, and students were slowly leaving the campus, their chatter fading in the background.
Tara was happily talking about random things from college, but Vipul was only half listening.
His eyes kept scanning the surroundings.
Those rumours about girls disappearing…
The Italian men he saw…
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
But when Tara laughed at something she said, he looked at her and gently squeezed her hand again.
Whatever it was… he silently promised himself one thing.
Nothing would ever happen to her while he was around.
As they walked toward the parking area, Tara suddenly tugged lightly on Vipul’s hand.
“Can we eat something?” she asked.
Vipul looked at her and smiled. “Haan, what do you want?”
Without even thinking, she replied casually, “You.”
Vipul immediately started coughing, almost choking on his own breath as he looked around to see if anyone heard that.
“Tara!” he whispered loudly, embarrassed. “From where are you learning all this nonsense?”
Tara shrugged innocently, trying to act normal. “You don’t know? I read Wattpad.”
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Shit.
She quickly bit her tongue and waved her hands.
“Nothing, nothing. I didn’t say anything,” she rushed out.
Vipul slowly narrowed his eyes at her, a suspicious smile forming on his face.
“Ohhh… so that’s where all this boldness is coming from,” he said teasingly.
Tara avoided his gaze and started walking faster.
“I said nothing!” she insisted.
Vipul crossed his arms and looked at her suspiciously.
“I guess I should also read and learn from this Wattpad, huh?” he said thoughtfully.
The moment Tara heard that, her eyes widened in pure horror.
“Noooo!” she almost screamed.
People around them turned their heads for a second, making her lower her voice immediately.
“Don’t! You’ll be traumatized!” she said quickly, shaking her head.
Vipul raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her dramatic reaction.
“Why?” he asked, trying not to laugh.
Tara nervously scratched the back of her neck and looked everywhere except at him.
“Because… because…” she struggled to find a decent excuse.
Vipul stepped a little closer, folding his arms again, clearly enjoying her panic.
“Because what, Miss Tara?” he asked with a teasing smile.
She finally looked at him and mumbled, “Because boys in Wattpad are… different.”
“Different?” Vipul repeated.
“Yes,” she said quickly. “Too romantic, too dramatic, too dangerous… and they do crazy things.”
Vipul leaned slightly closer to her.
“Oh really?” he said softly. “And what kind of crazy things?”
Tara immediately stepped back, pointing a finger at him.
“See! This is exactly why you should NOT read it!”
Vipul chuckled, clearly entertained.
“Relax,” he said, gently flicking her forehead. “No story can teach me how to handle you.”
Tara rubbed her forehead and pouted.
“Excuse me?”
Vipul smirked.
“You’re already more trouble than any Wattpad heroine.”
“Okay okay, let’s go and eat,” Tara said quickly, trying to end the conversation before Vipul could tease her more.
Vipul chuckled softly at her flustered face and both of them walked toward the nearby café.
After a few minutes, they reached a small cozy cafe at the corner of the street. Warm yellow lights glowed inside, and the smell of fresh coffee and desserts filled the air.
They took a seat near the window.
Vipul looked at her. “What do you want?”
Tara didn’t even take a second to think.
“I want black forest cake and a milkshake,” she said excitedly.
Vipul smiled slightly and nodded before calling the waiter and placing the order for her.
A few minutes later, the waiter placed the cake and milkshake on the table.
Tara’s eyes sparkled the moment she saw the cake.
“Wow,” she whispered happily, immediately picking up the fork.
Vipul leaned back in his chair, resting his elbow on the table while watching her.
She took the first bite and closed her eyes dramatically.
“Oh my god… this is heaven,” she said with pure satisfaction.
Vipul shook his head with a small smile.
“You’re acting like you haven’t eaten cake in years.”
She ignored him and took another bite.
Then suddenly she stopped and looked at him.
“Aren’t you eating?”
Vipul shook his head.
“No, you eat.”
Tara narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“You’re staring at me like that.”
Vipul smirked slightly.
“I’m just observing.”
“Observing what?” she asked.
He leaned a little forward, resting his chin on his hand.
“How someone can look this happy over a piece of cake.”
She smiled softly and then slowly placed the spoon on the table.
“You might even think I’m crazy…” Tara said quietly. “But I don’t know why… I feel so free and careless around you… like I can just be myself.”
Vipul didn’t say anything immediately.
He simply looked at her.
Not the playful look he usually had… but something softer, deeper.
Tara lowered her gaze slightly, suddenly feeling shy after saying that.
“I mean… I talk nonsense, I get angry, I complain a lot… and you still sit here and listen,” she added with a small awkward laugh.
Vipul leaned a little forward on the table.
“Tara,” he said gently.
She looked up at him. “You know why you feel like that?” he asked.
She shook her head slowly.
“Because I like the real you,” he said calmly. “Not the perfect version you think you should be.”
Her eyes softened.
Vipul continued, his voice quieter now.
“You laugh loudly, you say random things, you get excited over bangles and cake…” he smiled faintly. “And honestly, I wouldn’t change any of that.”
Tara felt her cheeks warm.
Vipul picked up the spoon and cut a small piece of the cake.
He held it in front of her.
“So don’t overthink it,” he said softly. “Just stay exactly like this.”
She looked at the cake, then at him.
“And if someone calls you crazy…”
He gently fed her the bite.
“I’ll proudly say she’s my crazy.”
A deep blush spread across Tara’s cheeks after his words.
Vipul immediately noticed it.
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a teasing smile.
“ooh look at you, Miss Tara,” he said with a grin. “You’re blushing.”
Tara’s eyes widened and she quickly covered her face with her hands.
“Shut uppp,” she said, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Vipul chuckled softly.
“Oh wow… the same girl who was boldly saying ‘I want you’ a while ago is now shy?”
Tara removed one hand and glared at him.
“Vipul!” she warned.
He raised both hands in surrender, still smiling.
“Okay okay, I’m quiet.”
She picked up her fork and angrily took another bite of cake.
Vipul watched her for a moment before leaning slightly closer across the table.
“You know,” he said softly, his teasing tone turning warmer, “you look really cute when you blush like that.”
Tara froze for a second.
Then she grabbed the napkin from the table and threw it at him.
“Stop saying things like that!”
Vipul caught the napkin mid-air and laughed.
“Why? They’re true.”
She looked away, trying to hide the smile forming on her lips.
Vipul noticed it instantly.
And that made him smile even more.
After finishing their food, the two of them walked slowly down the street. The evening air was cool, and the soft noise of people and traffic filled the surroundings.
Tara was walking beside Vipul, swinging her hands lightly, when suddenly her eyes landed on a small roadside plant shop.
“Vipul… look,” she said excitedly, pointing toward it.
Vipul followed her gaze and saw rows of colorful plants and flowers arranged neatly in pots.
“You want one?” he asked.
Tara nodded immediately.
A small smile appeared on Vipul’s face.
Both of them walked toward the shop. Tara instantly got lost looking at the plants, bending slightly to observe each one carefully like a curious child.
Vipul stood beside her, quietly watching her expressions change with every plant she saw.
She moved her fingers gently over the leaves of a few plants, then suddenly her eyes stopped on something.
A beautiful white rose planted in a small flower pot.
Her face lit up.
“This one,” she said softly, pointing at it.
Vipul looked at the rose and then at her.
“White rose?” he asked with a small teasing smile. “Not red?”
Tara shook her head.
“No. White roses are prettier.”
Vipul looked at the plant for a moment before picking up the pot carefully.
“Then it’s yours.”
Tara held the small pot carefully in her hands, her fingers gently touching the soft petals of the white rose.
Vipul watched her with a small smile.
“You get happy over the smallest things,” he said.
Tara looked at the rose for a moment before shaking her head.
“No… it’s not for me.”
Vipul raised his eyebrow slightly.
“Then?”
She looked down at the flower again, her voice becoming softer.
“It’s for Ishni didi.”
Vipul’s expression slowly changed.
Tara continued quietly,
“She lost her child… so I thought I’ll give this to her.”
She carefully brushed a leaf of the plant.
“She can keep it in her balcony… and I’ll tell her to water it every day.”
Vipul stayed silent, listening to her.
Tara looked at the white rose again and spoke softly,
“This white rose… it represents the pure soul she lost.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Vipul’s eyes softened as he looked at her.
Then he gently placed his hand on her head and ruffled her hair a little.
“You know something?” he said.
Tara looked up.
“You’re really kind, Tara.”
She blinked.
Vipul smiled faintly.
“Not everyone thinks about someone else’s pain like this.”
Tara looked down shyly.
“Ishni didi gave me a family when I had none… this is the least I can do.”
Vipul looked at her for a long moment.
Then he gently took the pot from her hands.
“Come,” he said softly.
"Let’s take this home.”
In no time, the car reached the mansion. The large gates opened, and the car slowly rolled inside before stopping near the entrance.
Vipul stepped out first and walked around the car, opening the door for Tara like he always did.
“Let’s go,” Tara said as she stepped out, still holding the small pot with the white rose carefully in her hands.
But Vipul didn’t move.
She noticed he was still standing near the car.
“Tara… I have some urgent work,” he said gently. “I can’t come inside right now.”
She frowned slightly.
“Urgent work? At this late night?” she asked, crossing her arms. “Do you even rest or do you just work all the time?”
Vipul chuckled softly at her concern.
“Arey, this is very important,” he said with a small smile. “And yes, I do rest.”
Tara sighed dramatically.
“Fine. I’ll go then.”
She turned to walk toward the mansion entrance.
But before she could take another step, Vipul gently held her face between his hands.
She looked up at him in surprise.
He leaned forward and softly kissed her forehead.
“Good night,” he said quietly.
Tara blinked, her cheeks turning pink instantly.
“Good night,” she replied shyly.
Vipul watched her walk toward the mansion doors, still holding the white rose pot carefully.
Only after she disappeared inside did his smile slowly fade.
His expression turned serious.
Because the urgent work he mentioned…
Had nothing to do with business.
It had everything to do with the Italian men he saw last night.
Tara walked inside the mansion, the large doors closing quietly behind her. The house was calm and dimly lit, the soft lights along the hallway casting warm shadows on the marble floor.
“Pata nahi kya kya karta hai yeh aadmi… mere samajh ke pare hai,” she mumbled to herself while walking inside, still slightly annoyed.
She dropped her bag on the couch carelessly and adjusted the small flower pot in her hands, making sure the white rose didn’t bend.
Then she started walking toward the staircase.
Her steps were slow as she climbed, still talking to herself quietly.
“Urgent work… at night,” she muttered. “Does he even sleep? Bas kaam, kaam, kaam…”
But despite her complaints, a small smile appeared on her lips remembering the way he had kissed her forehead.
She shook her head quickly, trying to stop herself from smiling.
“Stupid man,” she whispered.
Carefully holding the flower pot, she walked down the hallway toward Ishni’s room.
Her plan was simple.
She would place the white rose in Ishni’s balcony tomorrow morning and tell her to take care of it every day.
A small reminder.
Of the pure soul she had lost.
Tara gently pushed Ishni’s door open, peeking inside quietly.
“Didi?” she called softly.
No answer came.
The room remained quiet.
Tara slowly stepped inside, looking around. The lights were dim, and the soft curtains moved slightly with the night breeze coming from the balcony.
But Ishni was nowhere in the room.
“Didi?” Tara called again softly.
Still no response.
Frowning a little, Tara walked further inside until her eyes shifted toward the balcony.
There she was.
Ishni was sitting on the chair near the railing, her back slightly leaning against it. The moonlight fell softly on her face, making her look almost pale and distant.
She wasn’t doing anything.
Just sitting there…Quietly staring at the moon.
The night breeze gently moved the loose strands of her hair, but she didn’t react.
She looked lost.
Like her mind was somewhere far away.
Tara stood at the balcony door for a moment, watching her silently. The flower pot was still in her hands.
Slowly, she stepped outside.
“Didi…” she said gently.
“Arey Tara, tum?” Ishni said, turning slightly in surprise when she heard her voice.
Tara gave a small smile and walked onto the balcony.
“Haan… but what are you doing here?” she asked softly.
Ishni looked back at the moon again. The pale light of it fell on her face, making her eyes look distant.
“Nothing,” she replied quietly. “Just looking at the moon… it’s so beautiful.”
She paused for a moment before adding in a faint whisper,
“So pure.”
Tara followed her gaze and looked up at the moon hanging calmly in the dark sky.
“Indeed it is,” she said gently.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. The cool night breeze passed between them, softly moving their hair.
Then Ishni looked back at Tara.
“By the way, did you come from college?” she asked in her usual caring tone.
Tara nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then go freshen up and eat something,” Ishni said, slightly frowning. “You must be tired.”
But Tara didn’t move.
Instead, she stood there quietly, still holding something behind her back.
“Didi…” she said softly.
Ishni looked at her again.
“I brought something for you.”
“For me?” Ishni asked, confused.
Tara stepped closer and slowly brought her hands forward.
In them was a small flower pot.
A delicate white rose bloomed quietly in it, its petals glowing softly under the moonlight.
Ishni looked at the flower, her expression slowly softening.
“I thought…” Tara began, her voice becoming gentle, “you could keep this in your balcony.”
She placed the pot carefully on the railing.
“And water it every day.”
Ishni kept staring at the white rose without saying anything.
Tara looked down for a moment before speaking again, her voice almost like a whisper.
“This white rose… reminds me of the pure soul you lost.”
The words hung quietly in the night air.
Ishni’s fingers slowly reached out and touched the soft petals of the flower.
“Didi…” Tara spoke softly, her voice filled with hesitation and care.
“I’m sorry… I know the pain you have can never be replaced.” She looked down for a moment before continuing gently. “But… I’m sure it can be healed.”
Ishni stayed silent, her fingers still resting on the delicate petals of the white rose.
“This white rose…” Tara continued quietly, her voice trembling slightly with emotion, “whenever you water it… it will remind you that your child is always with you.”
She looked at Ishni with soft eyes.
“Watching you… and feeling your love.”
For a moment, everything became still.
The night breeze moved softly through the balcony, but Ishni didn’t move.
Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
“Tara…” she whispered.
she turned and pulled Tara into a tight hug.
Tara was slightly startled at first, but she hugged her back just as tightly.
“Thank you so much…” Ishni said quietly, her voice breaking with emotion.
Tara gently rubbed her back like a little sister trying to comfort someone she loved deeply.
“You’re not alone, didi,” she whispered softly.
The white rose sat quietly on the table beside them, its petals glowing softly under the moonlight like a silent promise of healing and love.
After a moment, they slowly pulled away from the hug.
Tara gently wiped the tears from Ishni’s eyes with her fingers, smiling softly.
“Even Vipul helped me,” Tara said innocently.
Hearing that, a small smile appeared on Ishni’s face through her tears.
“Then thank you to both of you,” she said warmly. “For thinking so much about me.”
Tara shook her head immediately.
“Didi, you should rest now,” she said gently.
Ishni nodded, her gaze shifting once more to the white rose sitting quietly on the table.
Tara gave her a small reassuring smile before quietly leaving the room.
As she stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind her, she turned to walk toward her own room.
But suddenly she stopped.
Rudra was standing there. Leaning slightly against the wall, his arms folded across his chest.
“Tara…” he said softly.
She blinked in surprise.
“Jiju…”
Rudra looked at her for a moment, his expression calm but filled with gratitude.
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
Tara immediately shook her head.
“It’s not a big thing compared to what you both did for me,” she replied sincerely. “You accepted me as your family… so please don’t say thank you.”
Rudra’s eyes softened hearing her words.
Without saying anything else, he gently placed his hand on her head, ruffling her hair slightly.
The gesture felt less like a brother-in-law…
And more like a father proudly blessing his daughter.
Tara smiled shyly, while Rudra looked at her with quiet pride.